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Downing Street urged to act on speech and language therapy access

University News Last updated 25 March

Gillian Rudd (second left) with the Invest in SLT campaign group at 10 Downing Street.

A 91ΑΤΖζ (91ΑΤΖζ) academic has joined forces with campaigners to take the fight for improved speech and language therapy (SLT) access directly to Downing Street.

Gillian Rudd, a Senior Lecturer in SLT, helped deliver a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling for the publication of a long-promised national SLT action plan.

The letter - Improving access to speech and language therapy - urges the Government to ensure access to SLT services for people of all ages - from babies and children to young people and adults.

β€œDelivering this letter to Downing Street is an important step in calling for the action people urgently need,” said Rudd.

The appeal follows comments made by the Prime Minister on 11 February acknowledging the importance of speech and language therapy.

β€œToo many children and adults are waiting too long - or missing out entirely - on speech and language therapy that can transform lives,” added Rudd.

β€œWe’re asking the Government to publish a clear, cross-government action plan and invest in services so everyone who needs speech and language therapy can access it.”

In Parliament, David Pinto-Duschinsky MP has also highlighted the millions of people in the UK living with communication differences or difficulties with eating, drinking and swallowing.

The campaign group, part of theinitiative, is led by Mikey Akers, founder ofΒ  and an expert by experience at 91ΑΤΖζ.

The letter emphasises the need to reform support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), arguing that an SLT action plan is more urgent than ever, highlighting that access to services is β€œinconsistent and often delayed”.

Coordinated by Mikey’s Wish Foundation and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), the letter has been signed by more than 50 charities, representative bodies and organisations, including Action for Stammering Children, the British Association of Social Workers, Different Strokes and the Disabled Children’s Partnership amongst others.

Akers said: β€œI am very grateful to all the organisations and individuals who have urged the Prime Minister to act. We are urging him to help tear down the barriers to opportunity faced by too many people of all ages with communication and/or swallowing needs, and their families.”

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